Columns

I was out of town last week and missed the opportunity to commemorate one of the most important laws adopted by our forefathers.
Last week was “Sunshine Week,” which celebrates the Sunshine Law. In Kentucky, that’s the Open Meetings, Open Records Law. Federally, it’s the Freedom of Information Act.
The Sunshine Laws are to help everyone -- not just idealistic journalists -- ensure an accountable government.

Early mornings turned to late nights and spirited debate echoed through the House and Senate chambers as we closed in on the final days of the 2017 Legislative Session in Frankfort.
A flurry of bills were sent to Gov. Matt Bevin’s desk this week, highlighted by measures to empower our Kentucky teachers and create better learning environments for our Kentucky students.

I was out of town last week and missed the opportunity to commemorate one of the most important laws adopted by our forefathers.
Last week was “Sunshine Week,” which celebrates the Sunshine Law. In Kentucky, that’s the Open Meetings, Open Records Law. Federally, it’s the Freedom of Information Act.
The Sunshine Laws are to help everyone -- not just idealistic journalists -- ensure an accountable government.

It is time for some catch up and reminders etc. First off, we are all beginning to think spring and planting and flowering shrubs. So, it is a great time to make our plans to put out one or more Crape Myrtles. There are folks who took up that suggestion last fall and planted and during the winter have had occasion to let me know. I have heard from readers in such varied locations as our big box store, restaurants, grocery, church—lots of places.

It’s so refreshing that the fine arts are apparently making a resurgence at Harrison County High School.
Next weekend students from HCHS, along with several students from the middle school and the four elementary schools in the district, will put on four performances of The Wizard of Oz.

This weekend marks the second annual Downtown Spring Open House.
Participating merchants will be open late on Friday, until 7 p.m. offering specials, discounts, door prizes, samples and great deals.
Can’t make it Friday evening? No worries. You can still get great deals, specials and have fun shopping on Saturday.
Cynthiana Main Street will be hosting its bunny hop drawing, which is open to everyone. No purchase is necessary to participate.

Late nights, packed committee meetings, and heated debate marked the fifth week of the 2017 session.
The senate is quickly passing the remaining senate bills out and receiving bills from the house for consideration. While there were some contested issues, the senate conducted itself in a bipartisan fashion. We wasted no time this week and passed over 40 pieces of legislation including:
•Senate Bill 9, redistricting of judicial districts in order to better align case loads with current census data;

I love it when government shows that it can compromise.
That’s exactly what happened Tuesday night when Cynthiana Mayor James Smith announced that the city would be pursuing limited parking on Pike Street between Church Street and 315 Pike St.